Greenwood, SC –The season opener turned out the way the Bantams wanted. It was at one of their home fields (Jeff May Complex), an attendance of about 300 people, and they received the win in a convincing manner.
The first ten minutes the Virginia Beach Piranhas and the SC United FC Bantams were trying to get into a rhythm. The Bantams seemed to make the most of their chances pressing high on the Piranha’s defense and playing the every second of every minute. With the Bantams pressing high, at times the Piranhas would get out of trouble and try to counter but no serious threat. It wasn’t until the 25th minute that the Bantams scored off of a corner kick. Jack Metcalf sent the ball back post close to the edge of the six where an unmarked Joseph Lontrato took advantage and made his opportunity count. At this point the Bantams received some encouragement and made it difficult for the Piranhas to respond right way. Seven minutes later the Bantams pressure caused the Piranhas defense to lose it about 15 yards from the 18 yard box. In a 2v2 situation Devin L’Amoreaux split the two centre defenders as David Kenga was on the run where he wasn’t going to miss a 1v1 situation with the keeper. At the 32nd minute mark it was 2-0 Bantams. The remaining 13 minutes were a bit more at ease as the Piranhas started to settle down and prevented the Bantams to continue with the nice rhythm they had going.
The second half of the game was a turnaround for the Piranhas as they made changes to their lineup and formation which in turn created more chances to score but Bantams’ goalkeeper, Robert Beebe was a brick wall with stellar saves. The Bantams had several opportunities as well with an MVP type performance by midfielder Jack Metcalf. The last ten minutes of the game the Piranhas kept the Bantams in their own half. The Piranhas could have made it 2-1 but Joey Lontrato saved a ball about to cross the goal line. Even though they couldn’t score, they didn’t give up and Shaun Russell scored in stoppage time just a few seconds away from the game ending.
After this game, the SC United Bantams are 1-0-0 in the season while the Virginia Beach Piranhas drop another one to make it 0-2-0.
